****GIVEAWAY OVER**** CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY PRESTON!!
I've spent many, many summers in Honey Springs, Kentucky with my Aunt Maxine Bloom. In fact, she took those long summer days to teach me everything I know.
She taught me how to be a lady. She taught me manners. She taught me how to bake, but most importantly she taught me that baking was the way to a man's heart.
When I think back to fourteen summers ago, when I was 14 years old, I'd caught the eye of hunky Patrick Cane, I knew that I had to put my Aunt Maxi's wisdom to work.
I'd gotten to know Patrick the summer before and we'd kept in touch all school year long. It was the longest nine months of my life!
Even though Patrick and I kept in touch, we didn't get to celebrate Valentine's Day and I was determined to bake Patrick Cane a cake to his heart just like Aunt Maxi had taught me.
She took me to the grocery store as soon as I'd gotten in town with her very own special "stop your heart chocolate cake" recipe is what she called it. I pushed the grocery cart while she filled it with so much stuff I never knew existed.
Something called espresso powder...who knew! Not only that, but she also taught me that if you refrigerate your cakes overnight, it not only makes them super moist, but easier to frost.
I blame my love for not only baking and all things coffee on my Aunt Maxi, I also blame my love for Patrick Cane on her too.
P.S. Aunt Maxi's advice about the way to a man's heart...she was right! Even after being apart for twelve years, Patrick and I recently found our way back into each other's arms as adults since I moved to Honey Springs and opened up The Bean Hive Coffeehouse.
Leave a comment to be entered to win a Southern Mystery Pack from Tonya Kappes! Be sure to leave your email in the comment.
Enjoy my recipe! Happy Hearts Day!~Roxy Bloom, owner of The Bean Hive and heroine in SCENE OF THE GRIND
Be sure to check out Tonya's new southern mystery release SCENE OF THE GRIND, the first in a new coffeehouse mystery series, A KILLER COFFEE MYSTERY.
Scene of the Grind
"Where the coffee is as hot as the gossip..."
Click here to learn more about Tonya's cozy mysteries.
"This southern tale includes the cutest little silver schnauzer, Pepper, who rides everywhere in Roxy's bicycle basket; plus, a sweet rescue poodle, Sassy, who takes an immediate fancy to Patrick. Also, Delicious recipes are inserted between chapters. Brew a pot of coffee, pour yourself a cup, and start reading Scene of the Grind to see what the buzz is about in this debut series."

~ Linda Langford at Chatting About Cozies
One more delicious look...
~ Tonya Kappes, author of
The Killer Coffee Mysteries
Kenni Lowry Mysteries
Ghostly Southern Mysteries

To get more of my recipes, enter to win a Kindle, or learn about my books,
including my USA TODAY bestselling Magical Cures Mystery series,
visit my website at Tonyakappes.com
I didn't know the secret about refrigerating a chocolate cake to make it more moist. I will definitely try that the next time I make a chocolate cake. But I was aware of the espresso powder. Expensive, but thankfully, a small jar goes a long way. Thanks for the giveaway. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful little trick!! I hope you like it!
DeleteGreat post. I never knew to refrigerate a cake before frosting it. Love this book. lhxp73@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how amazing it really it!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteHave never had espresso but this looks like a recipe to try. Love Tonya and her books.💗 jilldavidphotography@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteYou're the best! Espresso is so good.
DeleteGreat post. I love this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe and the giveaway. I will have to try the recipe.
ReplyDeletemarlene(dot)ezell(at)gmail(dot)com
The recipe sounds great! And so does the story! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. And the cake sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great recipe! I refrigerate all my cakes to keep them moist. The book looks good too! pgenest57 at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCoffee, cake and ghostly mysteries! Only the best!! ehleyl@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJust finished the book and loved it!! I never knew the refrigerate overnight tip !! Bdlogan@live.com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the recipe! cheers@marjimmanor.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe! I love this series and this book is awesome! fuades3(at)yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSounds real goooood. I like the way you did a character blog.Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletenerdsrgood AT msn DOT com
Love Chocolate cake but not sure about espresso...
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Kelly Braun
Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com
The cake looks delish ! Thanks for the recipe !
ReplyDeletekathambre@yahoo.com
Love the cake recipe, bit not so sure about espresso wither. I am not a coffee lover. But I am gluten free. and not by choice.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Thanks for this lovely cake recipe. Great and delectable. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYum! Great looking Chocolate Cake! I may just make this for my hubs tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to enter the contest, I'm a librarian in a rural Montana library, and we don't have any of your fun books!
Thanks!
Mcplcircdesk@blackfoot.net
Florence Evans
Love this enticing chocolate cake. Your books are unique. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLet me just say, "How cute is the cover for Scene of the Grind!" I like the premise of the Coffeehouse mystery series. I'm looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeletewitchy2003(at)gmail(dot)com
-Susan S.
I can't wait to try this cake! I look forward to reading this series.
ReplyDeletekpowers784@yahoo.com
Thanks for the recipe, and yes, I didn't know about putting the cake in the refrigerator. specialteach34@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteThis recipe looks so good! Thanks for the recipe and the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteharbingerdc(at)gmail(dot)com
i need to make this for my husband! he would love it! thanks! aelinderman@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteExpresso powder, I never heard of it. Sounds lke a great ingredient for brownies. Not a cake fan. Love this book. Going to have to read it again to catch anything I might have missed. Love the story. joyhejl@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteExpresso powder, I never heard of it. Sounds lke a great ingredient for brownies. Not a cake fan. Love this book. Going to have to read it again to catch anything I might have missed. Love the story. joyhejl@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteVery entertaining to read the blog post from Roxy Bloom! Fogs, Cake, Small town and a cute guy from the past! A recipe for a fantastic read! Can't wait to get my hands on this story!☘
ReplyDeleteI meant dogs not fogs!!! Yikes!
Deletesmcmahon19@icloud.com
Loved the book and the recipes, especially the chocolate cake!!!!
ReplyDeletejoanie13b@outlook.com
Love the book cover!! Great looking recipe. Thanks for the tip about refrigerating the cake to keep it moist. I know my husband will argue with me about that one though!! lg(dot)hudson(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the back story - makes it feel so much more alive! Looking forward to reading this one way or another! Ordering a copy for my mom's birthday! Sarahradamson@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteFirst of all congratulations. The cover is amazing. I always refrigerate my cakes as I like to keep things as safe and fresh as possible me and some cakes I freeze as I esoecially love them really cold like a baked Alaska of sorts 🙂. Glad you mentioned that in your recipe. We love mocha frosting on chocolate cake too. People who don't normally say they like coffee usually love mocha frosting it seems.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to reading this series. Best of luck. Thank you.
Cynthia B.
ceblain(AT)tmlponline(DOT)net
Read, reviewed and enjoyed this book.can't wait to read more of6them.
ReplyDeletejudytucker1947atgmaildotcom
I think that recipe is a must try one for me. The hubby should love it.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
A lovely post. Would love to read it looks so intriguing. Have yet to read this author. So hope this will be a start Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc ((dot) com
ReplyDeleteLove the recipe. Chocolate and espresso sounds like heaven. a great hint to refrigerate the cake before icing. Thank you for great books, recipes and giveaways. J_A_M_5672@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks incredible. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks so yummy, even though it's gluten free! I'll be sharing this recipe with a few friends. Also, I can't wait to read Scene of the Grind! I was so excited for its release.
ReplyDeleteawilcox1182@gmail.com
The recipe is terrific! lkleback@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe. It sounds so yummy
ReplyDeletejwisley(at)aol(dot)com
I could use a slice of that cake right now with my morning coffee. It looks delicious!
ReplyDeletekarin56381 (at) gmail.com
Thank you, Tanya. What an offer and what a recipe. Love chocolate cake and love that this is an easy recipe. mlarkin at rmrgroup dot com.
ReplyDeleteThis cake looks delicious can't wait to try it. Chasdawn123@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love to bake and I love anything chocolate so I will definitely have to try this!! Also I had never heard refrigerating a cake before frosting it to make it super moist, I will have to try that also! Thanks!
ReplyDeletetiggercat24alisha@yahoo.com
Cake looks and sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing the frosting tip.
ReplyDeletebwilhoite87@gmail.com
The cake sounds delicious. I will have to give it a try. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletesuzieqsb(at)aol(dot)com
I must try the Stop Your Heart cake!
ReplyDeletecjreynolds52(at)comcast(dot)net
I love understanding the characters from their past...and thanks for the chocolate cake recipe! There's dessert!
ReplyDeletekat8762@aol.com
I am giving my husband the recipe to your cake as he is off now from work for another month and he loves to cook since i am severely disabled. Also so glad that you are giving a print book away..ptclayton2@aol.com
ReplyDeleteOver the weekend I discovered a treasure trove of old recipes in a box at my mom's house. There is a Mocha Frosting recipe I am going to try that would be great on that cake! Thanks for the giveaway! -Heather
ReplyDeleteTeacupsAndLipstick@gmail.com
Great giveaway. Thanks for chance. Janngrogan@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks and sounds delicious! I haven't read Scene of the Grind yet, but it looks great! I would LOVE to win the Southern Mystery Pack. Thank you so much for the chance to win and for the recipe!
ReplyDeletemagicgirl2357@yahoo.com
Cake looks amazing. I didn't know about putting the cake in the refrigerator, will have to remember that. Loved the excerpt, can't wait to read "Scene of the Grind".
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Cake looks amazing. I didn't know about putting the cake in the refrigerator, will have to remember that. Loved the excerpt, can't wait to read "Scene of the Grind".
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Is it safe to assume that the gluten free flour can be exchanged with regular flour?
ReplyDeleteI loved the book. Great tips, I never knew about refrigerating before icing or espresso powder. Thanks. musiqmom@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI always refrigerate my cakes before frosting and yes they stay super moist! I will definitely be trying out this recipe! Your book sounds perfect! Thanks
ReplyDeleteedtercross7304atyahoodotcom
Thanks for the tip and recipe! Zeta(at)iwon(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis is one great sounding chocolate cake, I would love a piece right now! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteEverything looks yummy. Books included.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Tonya Kappes writes such fun books! Thanks for the chance! somesmartcookle@ aol.com. it's cookle with an L, not an I.
ReplyDeleteI love culinary cozies -- the recipes are fun to read!
ReplyDeleteDigicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Hope I'm not too late. What a delicious combo, mystery and cake!
ReplyDeleteDeliciously good idea! Having Choc cake mixed this a good southern mystery is better than sweet tea on a summers day!
ReplyDeleteI Love everything, every series Tonya writes! And this cake....well of course when you use cocoa powder and espresso powder, my 2 favorite combinations, how could you possibly go wrong! Love the idea of a giveaway! Merry Northstarvance(at)Gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMaking your cake today!!! Love your books!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
ReplyDeleteOneponychick66@hotmail.com
Love a good mystery and cake too.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
The cake could stop a heart.....in more ways than one. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteannettena at yahoo dot come
Never heard about refrigerating the cake before frosting. Thanks for this opportunity.I made my hubby a cocolate cake with a bag of m & M's in it, with Buttercream chocolate frosting. jluebke(at)frontier(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'm a KY girl who loves your books. The characters are always so much fun!
ReplyDeletejohnnabooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am loving this recipe. I always refrigerate my cakes after baking & keep them that way (covered) until gone. Thanks for the chance to win! doward1952(at)yahoo(cot)com
ReplyDeleteI've read and loved all of your comments! Thank you so much! The winner is Mary Preston! Congratulations Mary!!!
ReplyDelete